Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
DOI: 10.2478/v10038-009-0002-6
Andrzej Mroczkowski
Chair of Physical Education, University of Zielona Gra, Zielona Gra, Poland
ABSTRACT
Purpose. This paper aims to examine how the knowledge of biomechanics, specifically of mechanics principles used in teaching
aikido techniques, affects the precision of aikido movements execution. It also aims to answer the question whether secondary
school teaching of solid-state mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, improves the learning outcomes. Basic
procedures. The experiment involved 60 second- and third-form secondary-school students, divided into two groups: F (n = 27) and
E (n = 33). The research on the understanding of mechanics principles was based on the results of a written test. Group F
(experimental group) had been taught the principles of rotation mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, as opposed
to group E (control group). Surprise tests were applied to assess the understanding of mechanics rather than retrieving of definitions
learned by heart. The experimental group took a written test to assess their understanding of aikido mechanics. Over the period of
one month the students in this group had been taught four selected aikido techniques. Using a ten-point grading scale the precision
of execution of aikido techniques was evaluated. Main findings. Students t-test and regression analysis were used for statistical
analysis. A statistically significant difference was found between the aikido-enhanced and the conventional ways of teaching solid
state mechanics: the experimental group attained much higher test results than the control group. There was a strong correlation
between understanding aikido mechanics and the performance of aikido techniques. Conclusions. Understanding aikido mechanics
improves the performance of aikido techniques. Teaching solid-state mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, is
more effective than teaching physics in the conventional way.
Key words: biomechanics, teaching, aikido
Introduction
The following article is a continuation of my earlier
studies concerning combining knowledge from PE
classes and teaching physics [1]. The results obtained
had pointed to a significant improvement of the second
ary school students understanding of the principles of
mechanics taught during physics classes when using
examples from PE classes. The observations of mecha
nical movement performance of students during their
PE classes were used in teaching physics. For example,
a shot putting exercise was used to demonstrate that
students who understood the mechanics of the particu
lar sport, significantly increased their putting range, af
ter having changed their putting technique. It was also
observed that understanding the principles of mechan
ics could be very useful in extracurricular forms of
physical activity. The research conducted showed that
teaching aikido techniques was more effective if their
dynamics was explained using principles of mechanics
[1, 2]. The aim of the following study was to assess
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HUMAN MOVEMENT
3.5
3.0
Mean test result
*
F
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
test 1
test 2
32
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HUMAN MOVEMENT
100
regression line
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Points scored for precision of aikido technique performance
Discussion
There was no statistically significant difference be
tween the two groups of students (E and F) in terms of
their results of mechanics tests in the school year 2000/
2001 [1]. This was confirmed by the results of the writ
ten test taken by the students before the start of the solid
state mechanics course (test 1). It shows that both
groups had similar conditions for learning the mechan
ics material. A new method of teaching solid-state me
chanics significantly affected the differences between
the results of solid-state mechanics learning attained by
both groups of students. In a traditional physics class
the teacher demonstrates first the mathematical equa
tion of a law of physics and then carries out an experi
ment illustrating the theory. In the authors opinion the
main factor affecting the results in group F was stu
dents participation in aikido classes, during which
aikido techniques were explained using the principles of
mechanics. The students participation in aikido classes
could facilitate their understanding of mechanics prin
ciples, following the educational rule of affecting as
many students senses as possible [7]. The PE classes as
well as other forms of extraschool physical activity al
lowed more active contribution of other senses includ
ing somatic ones to the learning process, than hearing
and sight only. The results obtained correspond to my
earlier conclusions that learning the laws of mechanics
by school students could be greatly facilitated by the
use of examples from sport and other extracurricular
physical activities [1].
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HUMAN MOVEMENT
A. Mroczkowski, The use of biomechanics in teaching aikido
References
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Andrzej Mroczkowski
Uniwersytet Zielonogrski
ul. Wyspiaskiego 58
e-mail: amroczko@uz.zgora.pl
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